Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Thai photographer’s squid images lead to study of unusual behavior
Thai marine biologist and photojournalist Sirachai Arunrugstichai documents ocean life and environmental damage through photography.
His work in Thailand has shown bleached coral and oil pollution, and includes a widely shared photo of an orphan dugong being held by its carer.
A fishing-net removal in Myanmar led to an unusual squid discovery when he saw a live squid mating with one trapped in an abandoned net.
He realized the trapped squid was already dead and sent his photographs to a marine zoologist, who suggested studying the behavior.
The researchers described the behavior as mating with a dead squid, based on two cases, one observed in the wild and one in captivity.
They could not determine exactly why it happened, but said it may offer clues about how squids choose mates.
The finding also showed the direct harm abandoned fishing nets can cause to marine animals.
Arunrugstichai believes photography can draw public attention to conservation problems and help initiate change.
Thai photographer Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai’s images of a squid mating with a dead squid prompted a study of the unusual behavior.
He photographed the scene while helping retrieve ghost fishing nets in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago between 2019 and 2020.
The study used two case studies: Arunrugstichai’s observation in the wild and a case observed in captivity by marine zoologist Jaruwat Nabhitabhata.
The researchers could not determine the exact cause of the behavior, but said it could help clarify how squids select mating partners.
- Who
- Thai photographer and marine biologist Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai co-authored the study with marine zoologist Jaruwat Nabhitabhata.
- What
- Photographs of a squid mating with a dead squid led to a study of necrophilic behavior in squids.
- When
- Arunrugstichai photographed the behavior while working in Myanmar from 2019 to 2020. The study’s publication date is not stated.
- Where
- The observation took place in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.
- Why
- Arunrugstichai sent the photographs to Nabhitabhata, who suggested turning the observation into a short research paper.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Arunrugstichai worked in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago and photographed a squid mating with a dead squid while his team retrieved a ghost fishing net.
Arunrugstichai sent his images to marine zoologist Jaruwat Nabhitabhata, who suggested writing a short research paper.
- Photographer
- Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai
- Location
- Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar
- Observation period
- 2019–2020
- Study cases
- Two: one observed in the wild and one in captivity
- Finding
- Researchers could not determine the exact cause of the behavior
What people are saying
I felt it was very unusual that a dying squid would still be mating.
This was necrophilic behavior, which has been observed in certain animal species.
First of all, the abandoned fishing net had a direct impact on local aquatic animals.
Sources
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